MO · Mechanics Lien Law
Missouri Mechanics Lien Law: Deadlines, Notices & Filing Guide
Missouri mechanics lien and bond claim rules under RSMo § 429.080 (private) and § 107.170 (public), summarized by My Lien Lawyer. Both the filing and enforcement deadlines run in 6-month increments tied to last furnishing.
Missouri mechanics lien deadlines at a glance
A sub-tier claimant must serve a written Notice of Intent to Lien on the owner at least 10 days before recording the mechanics lien, within the overall 6-month filing window. General contractors in direct contract with the owner also have a separate obligation to timely deliver the statutory Disclosure Notice under RSMo § 429.012.
A Missouri mechanics lien must be filed with the circuit clerk of the county where the property sits within 6 months after the indebtedness accrues, which is measured from the claimant's last furnishing of labor or materials.
An action to enforce the lien must be commenced within 6 months after the lien is filed, per RSMo § 429.080.
Missouri's Little Miller Act does not set a strict statutory notice deadline for public works bond claims, but serving written notice within 90 days of last furnishing labor or materials is the standard practice and is typically required by the terms of the bond itself.
Primary statute
RSMo § 429.080 · RSMo § 107.170
Who can file a mechanics lien in Missouri?
Missouri lien rights extend to contractors, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, material suppliers, and design professionals where the statute allows, provided they furnished labor, materials, or services to the improvement.
Overview of Missouri lien practice
Missouri stands out for pairing a 6-month lien filing deadline with an equally short 6-month window to enforce that lien once filed, so claimants who wait to act on either end can run out of time quickly. Sub-tier claimants carry the added burden of serving a Notice of Intent to Lien on the owner at least 10 days before recording, while general contractors dealing directly with the owner must separately deliver the statutory Disclosure Notice on time. Because both the filing clock and the notice clock run from last furnishing, and because the intent notice must precede recording by at least 10 days, claimants need to build in a buffer rather than filing at the last possible moment. The lien must be recorded in the circuit clerk's office for the correct county and must name the actual owner of record. Public project claimants follow a different, less rigid framework under the Little Miller Act, where the 90-day notice period is a practical standard shaped by bond terms rather than a hard statutory cutoff. Federal property is not subject to any of these Missouri remedies.
Common pitfalls on Missouri projects
Intent notice must precede recording
Sub-tier claimants must serve the 10-day Notice of Intent to Lien before recording, not after, or the resulting lien can be attacked.
Disclosure Notice applies to direct contractors
General contractors in direct contract with the owner must have timely delivered the Disclosure Notice under RSMo § 429.012 to preserve full lien rights.
Two separate 6-month clocks apply
The 6-month filing deadline and the 6-month enforcement deadline are separate windows that both run off last furnishing and filing, respectively, so they can be easy to conflate.
Missouri mechanics lien FAQs
When must a mechanics lien be recorded in Missouri?
Within 6 months after the indebtedness accrues, filed with the circuit clerk of the county where the property is located, under RSMo § 429.080.
Is preliminary notice required in Missouri?
Sub-tier claimants must serve a written Notice of Intent to Lien on the owner at least 10 days before recording the lien.
How long do I have to enforce a lien in Missouri?
An action to enforce the lien must be commenced within 6 months after the lien is filed.
What applies to Missouri public projects for bond claims?
There is no strict statutory notice deadline under the Little Miller Act, but written notice within 90 days of last furnishing is standard practice and is often required by the bond terms.
Filing a Missouri mechanics lien or bond claim?
My Lien Lawyer coordinates mechanics lien filings, bond claims, and construction collections in Missouri — directly or through our vetted local-counsel network. The first call is free.
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This page is general information and not legal advice. Statutes change — verify against the official text linked above.